Future Stars Shine Bright: Walcott, Ortiz, and Bratt Sweep Texas League Postseason Honors
The Texas Rangers’ farm system stole the spotlight this week as three standout prospects from the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders earned top recognition in the Texas League’s postseason awards. Sebastian Walcott, Abimelec Ortiz, and Mitch Bratt each delivered breakout seasons that signal a vibrant future for the big-league club.
Walcott’s Historic Teenage Season
At just 19 years old, Sebastian Walcott has already etched his name alongside legends. Ranked the Rangers’ No. 1 prospect and No. 4 overall by MLB.com, the dynamic infielder was named the league’s Top MLB Prospect after a record-setting campaign. Walcott became the first Texas League teenager since Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar in 1987 to hit double-digit home runs and steal 30 or more bases in the same season. He finished with a .255/.355/.386 line, 13 homers, and 32 stolen bases. His September surge—batting .391 with a .981 OPS—was a thrilling encore that showcased both power and speed.
“This season was about learning and trusting my approach,” Walcott said. “To be recognized like this motivates me to keep pushing toward Arlington.”
Ortiz Powers Up at the Plate
First baseman Abimelec Ortiz, ranked the Rangers’ No. 18 prospect, earned Texas League All-Star honors after a thunderous first half with Frisco. Ortiz hit .247/.343/.444 with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs in 89 games before earning a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock. Across both levels, the 22-year-old slugger combined for 25 homers and a .953 OPS, cementing his status as one of the system’s premier power bats. His 34 total home runs over two seasons in Frisco rank fifth in franchise history.
Ortiz credited his teammates for the support. “Frisco felt like family,” he said. “Every at-bat I felt the energy from the dugout. That carried me all year.”
Bratt’s Command Dominates the League
Left-hander Mitch Bratt rounded out the honors, named a Postseason All-Star starting pitcher after a dazzling campaign split between Frisco and Amarillo. Acquired in a midseason trade with Arizona that sent veteran Merrill Kelly to Texas, the Canadian southpaw went 7-4 with a 3.38 ERA. His precision stood out: Bratt led all Texas League pitchers in strikeout rate (29.3 percent) and walk rate (4.2 percent), and his strikeout-to-walk differential of 25.9 percent was the best in all of Minor League Baseball.
“I focused on attacking the zone,” Bratt explained. “Limiting free passes and keeping hitters off balance was my goal every start.”
A Glimpse of Texas’ Future
For the Rangers, these honors underscore a thriving player development pipeline. Walcott’s combination of speed and pop, Ortiz’s middle-of-the-order power, and Bratt’s elite command give Texas fans reason to dream about a homegrown core capable of sustaining big-league success.
Frisco manager Carlos Cardoza summed up the excitement: “These guys play the game the right way. They’re talented, but their work ethic and love for baseball set them apart. The future in Texas is bright.”
As the Rangers continue their push at the Major League level, the performances of Walcott, Ortiz, and Bratt serve as a powerful reminder that the next wave of talent is not only coming—it’s already making history
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